RIP Infinite Challenge: The First Instance of Creative Direction

This past week, the famed Korean show “Infinite Challenge” (무한도전) celebrated its last show since almost 13 years of dominating domestic television. Legendary producer Kim Tae Ho announced that he would be departing and in consequence, the full-time cast revealed that they would follow-suite.

For anyone that hasn’t watched an episode, Infinite Challenge is a kind of variety/game show where a cast of 6 entertainers perform tasks, set up scenarios, and go through various experiences, oftentimes with guest celebrities. Over the last decade+, it has grown to the most longstanding and recognizable show. Korean TV, besides dramas, is mostly confined to Korean viewership, but I’d wager that you would recognize many of the guests.

• Source

• Source

And although the 6 men of the original cast (which has changed a great deal over the last several years) are all very famous performers in their own right, the real star has been the producer. Kim Tae Ho is celebrated as one of the most innovative producers in Korean television history, not relying on a single premise or story arc, and instead revamping each show each week with new creative vision. He, and he alone, is accredited with applying real transformative creative vision in Korean media. While others relied on a dramatic strain or gimmicky premise, fans would wait for each new episode of Infinite Challenge in anticipation of the scene, guest, outcome, etc.

• Source

I had a brief chance to meet the producer when I once saw the filming of the show live. He’s fairy soft spoken and doesn’t seemed swayed by the reputation built around him. While most shows or movies are almost completely focused on the celebrities and frontend figures involved, Kim Tae Ho’s presence and reference would always be present in every episode.

So here’s a cheer for an epic coming to a close in Korean media. Infinite Challenge did a lot of things for domestic TV - introduce scenario-based comedy, humanize celebrities with silly situations, and nurture some of the most intimate comic entertainment - and its presence will be sorely missed.

I’ll be off enjoying clips like this one -

• Source

I encourage you to scout some out as well. Steem on!